New course design book is rooted in Self-Determination Theory

Publication Title

Designing Impactful College Courses: Applying Self-Determination Theory

Co-Authors

Emily M. Bonem, Daniel Guberman, Chantal Levesque-Bristol

Publisher

Routledge

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

About the Book

This how-to course design guide is rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), equipping educators with the tools they need to create learning environments that fuel motivation and lead to a more engaging and productive teaching and learning experience. Existing literature on course design often emphasizes tips and tricks drawn from a wide range of scholarship but rarely provides cohesive guiding principles to address the diverse needs of students. This book bridges that gap by utilizing a backwards design approach (starting with outcomes, followed by assessments, and then activities) to guide readers through the stages of course development. It features diverse case studies that demonstrate how instructors have applied their principles to transform courses, along with interactive worksheets available as online resources. Several of the chapters include case studies by Purdue College of Education colleagues: Nathan Mentzer (Ch. 6 & 11) and Kathleen Martin (Ch. 10).

About the Author

Chantal Levesque-Bristol, executive director of the Purdue Center for Instructional Excellence and professor of educational psychology and research methodology in the Department of Educational Studies, and is passionate about education, motivation, and teaching and learning. She has worked at Purdue since 2012, presented at various national and international conferences, and presented and conducted workshops based on the IMPACT program at Purdue University.